Saudi Arabia wins IAPB awards

August 18, 2008

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) decided recently to award Saudi Arabia the Global Partnership Award and Regional Achievement Award in recognition of the Kingdom’s efforts, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, in a program to control visual disability and to support World Health Organization (WHO) in the fight against blindness as well as the leading role played by the Minister of Health during the past years.

Speaking on the occasion Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Manie highlighted the generous support of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz in combating visual disability programs.

“The role of the Ministry of Health is consistent with the prominent and vital mission as well as sustained and intensive efforts carried out in this regard by Prince Abdulaziz bin Ahmad bin Abdulaziz, president of the Eastern Mediterranean Region of IAPB to combat blindness in supporting the fight against blindness in the Eastern Mediterranean Region,” Dr. Al-Manie added.

He also referred to Kingdom’s strong role in presenting the initiative Vision 2020: the Right to Sight to the WHO General Assembly .